Pontius Pilate demands the inscription on the cross to proclaim that He did not bow to the condemnation of the mob. In essence confirming Jesus’ innocence, to mock Jesus to placate the Jewish leaders, and as a warning that any further rebellions would have the same consequences. The inscription truly describes Jesus’ life and mission namely King of the Jews and that of all humanity. ~ Fr. Matt
Today we will hear of horrifying signs, that may portend the end of the world: earthquake and famines, wars and persecutions. Even though these warnings were given two thousand years ago or more and the world has not yet ended, they can still spur us to action now. As we celebrate Mass today, let us look at our lives and consider what we should change and then resolve to do so.
The future is known to God alone. He is responsible for its unfolding day by day, year by year. We are called to be responsive by using Gods gifts in the present moment. ~ Fr. Matt
As the liturgical year nears its end, the readings reflect more on the life to come. In answering the query, Jesus points out that our earthly attachments are not our focus in heaven. When we reach the next life, nothing will be as it is this world, where people live and die and marry and are given in marriage. There, the focus will be on God.
The devil is in the details as we’ve been told. The leaders of the Hebrew religion had a very narrow approach to God and life. Hence they wrote off and rejected Jesus as Messiah and Savior. Jesus revealed the compassionate face of God outside the Mosaic law. He values people more than rubrics. Sometimes we find our answers for life in tedious footnotes of our Catholicism. Let us not miss the obvious truth, Go is Love and we who abide in love abide in God and God in us. ~ Fr. Matt
True wisdom does not judge and condemn. True wisdom understands and forgives. If we live each day as our last, then we shall prepare a worthy welcome for the Lord. If one day salvation knocked at our door, would we recognize and welcome him? ~ Fr. Matt
One can imagine the joy o Zacchaeus, when Jesus sees him. But the story does not end with this tax collector’s rejoicing. The next verses tell of the change of heart that Zacchaeus experienced. Not only did he say he would give half his possessions to the poor but he would repay fourfold anyone he had extorted. Upon entering Jesus, Zacchaeus was able to detach from his possessions. In the Word and Eucharist we meet Christ. Have those encounters prompted you to detach from any possessions in any way?
“LOW,” I AM WITH YOU
“The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds.” —Sirach 35:17
Clouds can be a sign of God’s presence or, figuratively speaking, a barrier preventing us from “getting through” to God. Clouds present no problem to the prayer of the lowly, for their prayer pierces the clouds.
We can surmise that the prayer of many people is not “getting through” to God, for many people pray infrequently. If they were “getting through,” they probably would be encouraged to pray always (see Lk 18:1). Who wants to keep calling a phone number when you seldom “get through”? Many of us must not be lowly, or we would be “getting through” and praying more.
Sign of not being lowly are:
Jesus is lowly — from the stable at Bethlehem to the cross on Calvary to appearing as bread and wine in the Eucharist. Be like the lowly Jesus, and your prayer will pierce the clouds.
Prayer turns us outward, not inward. Prayer is a leap of faith. Our supplications do not change God but changes our experience of life. The tax collector looks outward. He gazed upon God with awe and gratitude. He left a changed man. He threw himself on the mercy of God. The Pharisee looked inwardly and remained anchored to his own self righteousness. He made no leap of faith. He did not change. ~ Fr. Matt
How do we sound when we pray? A spiritual director shared that she had asked people to record themselves in their prayer. She maintained that the spiritual life could be deepened through listening to one’s prayer. For example, if a person found that in prayer, the world was blamed for problems, he or she might move blame to gratitude and humility. Praying “be merciful to me a sinner,” the tax collector stood before God with humility. He knew his place before God.